Augmented Reality Navigation System

ABSTRACT

The navigation system includes a series of bar codes and a bar code reader. The bar codes are placed at positions throughout the area to be navigated. The bar code readers scan the bar codes as a user moves through the area to be navigated. The navigation system may include a processor which includes instructions for receiving the user&#39;s current position and at least one location the user wishes to reach. The processor assembles the most efficient route from the user&#39;s position to the locations the user wishes to reach. The navigation system may include an augmented reality viewing device which receives signals from the processor and displays an augmented reality view to the user. The augmented reality view includes augmented reality images which provide step-by-step instructions from the user&#39;s position to the locations the user wishes to reach.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to electronic navigation systems whichidentify the most efficient route to one or more locations.

Background of the Invention

Often people need to navigate through complicated floorplans withinbuildings or throughout outdoor venues. Printed maps have been used fornavigation but cannot be updated without recreating the printed map.They may not always include sufficient detail to navigate to alllocations within the area on the map. Signage may assist in navigationbut requires brevity and provides only intermittent instruction.Furthermore, these methods provide static instructions rather thandynamic directions from a user's current position to a desired location.

More recently, navigation systems using global positioning satellite(GPS) technology has become available. A user interface may beexperienced through a desktop, laptop or tablet computer screen, or amobile phone. This technology provides dynamic navigation instructions.However, the reception needed to utilize GPS technology may beunavailable in certain areas. For example, obstacles such as tallbuildings or mountains may block needed signals. This technology mayalso be unavailable within some buildings. Additionally, GPS may nottriangulate distances between locations as accurately as needed,particularly when navigating within a relatively small geographical areasuch as an office building, retail store, or warehouse. Furthermore, theuser interface associated with available applications that utilize GPStechnology provide a graphic display which often appears much like aprinted map, but which changes as the user moves through space. It doesnot, however, provide a user with a realistic view of the user'ssurroundings along with navigation instructions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed navigation system includes multiple bar codes which may belocated throughout an area to be navigated. These include route barcodes which assist a user in following an optimal route to reach one ormore locations within the area. Some embodiments also includedestination bar codes which identify specific locations within the areato be navigated so that the system may alert the user on arrival at adesired location.

In some embodiments, the route and destination bar codes may beinvisible to the human eye. These bar codes may be printed using inkwhich reflects light comprising wavelengths which are outside the humanvisual range, but which a bar code reader or camera may detect.

The disclosed navigation system may include one or more cameras which,in some embodiments, include bar code readers, and which may be directedso that they may read bar codes throughout the area to be navigated. Thenavigation system may also include at least one bar code reader that maybe incorporated within a mobile device, a wearable set of goggles,visor, or optical contact lens which the user may operate while movingthrough the area to be navigated.

The navigation system may include an augmented reality viewing devicewhich may be incorporated within a mobile device, a set of goggles, apair of eyeglasses, a visor, or an optical contact lens. Other devicesthrough which a user may view visual input may also include theaugmented reality viewing device. This device may allow the user to viewthe real world while receiving computer-generated navigationinstructions in a combined visual experience. For example, a destinationbar code may appear to the viewer within the real-world view. Thedestination bar code may change colors when scanned to indicate thatthis specific destination bar code is associated with the user's desireddestination. Similarly, route bar codes may appear to the viewer withinthe real-world-view and change colors when scanned if they are on theroute to the desired destination. Virtual track lighting may appearalong the route guiding the user toward the destination. In someembodiments, the virtual track lighting may appear only on thedesignated path. In other embodiments, the virtual track lighting maychange colors along the path just ahead of the user to guide the user tothe destination using the most efficient route. Virtual arrows andtextual instructions may direct the user toward the desired destination.These signals may be communicated through a user interface that may beexperienced through the augmented reality viewing device. Audiblesignals may be combined with the augmented reality view to provideadditional instructions.

The navigation system may include a processor which may include amemory. The memory may store software in the form of non-transitorycomputer-readable medium and a database. The database may store thepatterns and positions of each of the route and destination bar codes.The non-transitory computer-readable medium may include instructions forreceiving a request to help a user navigate from a starting point to atleast one location. The processor may include instructions whichidentify the user's starting point, typically the user's currentlocation. The instructions may design a planned route from the user'sstarting point to the desired locations using one or more of thefollowing: scans of the bar codes, known locations of the bar codes, andimages collected by the cameras. The planned route may be the mostefficient path from the user's current position to one or more desiredlocations. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may compriseinstructions for transmitting navigation instructions at least in partin the form of an augmented reality view which the user experiencesthrough the augmented reality viewing device.

The area to be navigated may be any of a variety of environments, eitherinside a building structure or outdoors. These include, but are notlimited to, a warehouse, a retail store, an office building, ahealthcare facility, an airport, a bus terminal, a school, a parkinglot, an amusement park, and a city.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive implementations of the disclosure aredescribed with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified. Advantages of the disclosure will becomebetter understood regarding the following description and accompanyingdrawings where:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating a user in a warehouse whichuses an embodiment of the disclosed navigation system;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating a user wearing goggles whichinclude a bar code reader according to an embodiment of the disclosednavigation system;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view illustrating a user operating a mobiledevice which includes a bar code reader according to an embodiment ofthe disclosed navigation system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of an example of an image shown on a userinterface according to an embodiment of the disclosed navigation system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating a retail store using anembodiment of the disclosed navigation system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a user scanning route barcodes on a floor within the retail store of FIG. 3 according to anembodiment of the disclosed navigation system;

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of an example of an image shown on a userinterface according to an embodiment of the disclosed navigation system;and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating steps which may be taken to use anembodiment of the disclosed navigation system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

The following terms and phrases have the meanings indicated below,unless otherwise provided herein. This disclosure may employ other termsand phrases not expressly defined herein. Such other terms and phrasesshall have the meanings that they would possess within the context ofthis disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. In someinstances, a term or phrase may be defined in the singular or plural. Insuch instances, it is understood that any term in the singular mayinclude its plural counterpart and vice versa, unless expresslyindicated to the contrary.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example,reference to “a substituent” encompasses a single substituent as well astwo or more substituents, and the like.

As used herein, “for example,” “for instance,” “such as,” or “including”are meant to introduce examples that further clarify more generalsubject matter. Unless otherwise expressly indicated, such examples areprovided only as an aid for understanding embodiments illustrated in thepresent disclosure, and are not meant to be limiting in any fashion. Nordo these phrases indicate any kind of preference for the disclosedembodiment.

As used herein, “mobile device” means a portable computing device whichprovides wired or wireless communication. Examples include smartphones,tablets, and laptop computers.

As used herein, “bar code” means an optical, machine-readable,representation of data. As used herein, a “bar code” may include aone-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), or a three-dimensional (3D)bar code. In an example, a bar code is a Quick Response code(hereinafter, “QR code,”) Data Matric, a DotCode, or a CrontoSign. Inanother example, the “bar code” may resemble a 1D Universal Product Code(UPC). A 3D bar code may comprise of a 2D bar code in which the regionsof the pattern vary in depth. A 3D bar code may comprise a 2D bar codein which the regions of the pattern vary in color.

As used herein, “augmented reality” means a view in which acomputer-generated image is superimposed on a user's view of the realworld, thus providing a composite view.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there are shown in the drawings, which will herein be describedin detail, several specific embodiments with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprincipals of the invention and is not intended to limit the inventionto the illustrated embodiments.

We disclose a navigation system which provides navigation instructiondirecting a user from a starting point to one or more desired locationsusing the most efficient route (hereinafter, the “planned route”). Thenavigation system includes bar codes which may be placed along variousroutes throughout an area to be navigated. These bar codes may be usedas markers which the system uses to direct the user along the plannedroute to one or more desired locations. Accordingly, these bar codes arereferred to herein as “route bar codes.” The system may include at leastone bar code reader which may read the route bar codes. The bar codereader may be disposed within a user's mobile device, for example, theuser's smart phone or tablet.

The navigation system may include an augmented reality viewing devicethrough which the user may receive navigation instructions in anaugmented reality platform. In some embodiments, the bar code reader isdisposed within an augmented reality viewing device. In someembodiments, the augmented reality view device is a pair of smartgoggles, eyeglasses, a visor, or an ocular contact lens that the userwears. For example, the user may wear the goggles, eyeglasses, visor, orcontact lens while moving around the area to be navigated. The bar codereader scans the surrounding route bar codes and the user experiences anaugmented reality view through the augmented reality viewing device.

The disclosed navigation system may include a user interface(hereinafter, “UI”). The UI may be displayed on any or all of theaugmented reality viewing devices, a mobile device, or a desktopcomputer screen. The UI may provide instructions to follow the plannedroute as well as indicate when the user has deviated from the plannedroute followed by rerouting instructions.

The UI may display a variety of virtual images which may be componentsof the augmented reality view. In an example, the UI may provide anindication when the bar code reader has scanned a route bar code. Thisindication may comprise an image of the route bar code. The UI may alsoindicate when the scanned route bar code is along the planned route. Forexample, the route bar code may change colors or flash when the softwareon the processor determines that the route bar code is along the plannedroute. In another example, a user wearing goggles, eyeglasses, a visor,or a contact lens may see virtual track lighting or a virtual arrow onthe warehouse floor. These virtual signals may not actually be presentbut only visible through the UI. A user interfacing through a mobiledevice may view the track lighting or arrow on a real-world image of thepathway shown on a screen of the mobile device. In some embodiments, thevirtual track lighting may change colors along the planned route justahead of the user thereby providing a signal to follow. In anotherexample, all track lighting within the planned route may be a firstcolor and track lighting that is not along the planned route may be adifferent color. In yet another example, the UI may produce an audiblesound to alert the user that a route bar code on the planned route hasbeen scanned. Combinations of visual and audible signals are also withinthe scope of this disclosure.

The disclosed navigation system may include one or more cameras whichmay be placed in strategic positions throughout the area to benavigated. In some embodiments, these cameras may also include bar codereaders which may read the bar codes throughout the area to be navigatedand transmit the data to a processor. In an example, a single camera ormultiple cameras may read 2D bar codes by collecting a graphical imageof a 2D bar code. In another example, multiple cameras may collectgraphical images of 3D bar codes. The different regions of the 3D barcodes may vary in depth relative to the plane on which a 2D pattern isprinted. Multiple cameras may detect the variations in depth, color, orother third dimensions known in the art thereby providing additionaloptions for coding information in the 3D bar code.

Software may be stored in a memory on the processor in the form ofnon-transitory computer-readable medium. The processor may also store adatabase which includes the pattern and location of each of the routebar codes. The location of route bar codes may be entered into theprocessor through data entry techniques known in the art. Alternatively,the cameras may scan the route bar codes throughout the area to benavigated and store their relative positions. An electronic map of thearea may be created using the relative locations of the bar codes.Accordingly, when a bar code reader scans route bar codes surroundingthe user, the software may identify the location of the user within thearea. The software may then determine a planned route to other locationsthroughout the area to be navigated.

The software stored on the processor may include instructions forreceiving a request for an efficient route to reach one or moredestinations starting from a user's current location. In someembodiments, this request may be entered into the processor by scanninga bar code associated with each desired destination, keying the requestinto the processor, by voice commands, or other data entry techniquesknow in the art. In some embodiments, bar codes associated withdestinations may be stored in the memory within the processor alongwithin information about the destination. Accordingly, these bar codesare referred to herein as “destination bar codes.” The processor maystore the location of each of the destination bar codes in the memory.The software may use the locations of the route bar codes and thedestination bar codes to determine an optimal route to a destination barcode (a planned route).

In an example, the destination bar codes may each be associated with amerchandise display. A user entering a retail store may enter a requestto navigate to a specific merchandise display into the navigationsystem. The software may compile a planned route to the desiredmerchandise display. As the user passes route bar codes, the bar codescanner associated with the user and which may be included within theuser's augmented reality viewing device scans the route bar codes andconfirms that the user is correctly following the planned route. The UIassociated with the augmented reality viewing device communicatesnavigation instructions to the user as the user proceeds along theplanned route. The bar code reader may also scan destination bar codesalong the planned route. The UI associated with the augmented realityviewing device may provide a notification when the user reaches therequested merchandise display.

In another example, the destination bar codes may each be associatedwith a pallet, bin, or other container within a warehouse. Thecontainers may store inventory items which warehouse workers may pick inspecific combinations to fill customer orders. The software stored onthe processor may include instructions for receiving an order for one ormore inventory items. This order may be entered into the processerdirectly and electronically when a customer sends an electronic order.Alternatively, a worker may enter the order by scanning or keying itinto the processor when the order is received.

A warehouse worker may be assigned the task of collecting (picking) theinventory items to fill the customer's order. The software within thenavigation system may compile a planned route which is the mostefficient route the worker may travel from the worker's present locationto pick each of the inventory items in the customer's order. As theworker passes route bar codes, the bar code scanner associated with theworker and which may be included within the worker's augmented realityviewing device scans the route bar codes and confirms that the worker iscorrectly following the planned route. The UI associated with theworker's augmented reality viewing device periodically communicatesnavigation instructions as the worker proceeds along the planned route.The bar code reader may also scan destination bar codes along theplanned route. When the worker reaches a container which stores aninventory item in the customer's order, the bar code reader scans thedestination bar code associated with that container. The UI associatedwith the augmented reality viewing device may display a signalinstructing the worker to pick an inventory item from the container. Theworker may then proceed along the planned route to the container wherethe next inventory item in the customer's order is stored.

The software may determine the user's starting location using one ormore of several methods. In an embodiment, indoor position trackingtechnology may identify the user's location through the user's mobiledevice which, in some embodiments, may also function as the user'saugmented reality viewing device. The navigation system may identify thelocation of the mobile device, and consequently, the identity of theuser, when the user logs into the navigation system using the mobiledevice. Thus, multiple users may simultaneously navigate throughout thearea to be navigated while the system may track each unique user'smovement and provide each user with individualized navigationinstruction. In another embodiment, the bar code scanner, which may bedisposed within the augmented reality viewing device the user isoperating, may scan surrounding route bar codes, transmit the data tothe processor through a data transmitter, and the instructions stored inthe processor may identify the user's current location based on thesurrounding route bar codes. In the latter embodiment, unique users maybe distinguished from one another by assigning a specific augmentedreality viewing device that em its a unique signal to each user andassociating each device with its assigned user. Alternatively, a barcode may be disposed on the body or clothing of each user which definesthe unique user. This bar code is referred to herein as a “user barcode.” The bar code reader in the camera may scan the bar code on thebody or clothing of the unique users to assess their locations.Alternatively, the user may scan his or her user bar code using a barcode reader associated with his or her assigned augmented realityviewing device to associate that device with the user. The bar codereader within the augmented reality viewing device may then scansurrounding route or destination bar codes and the instructions in theprocessor may identify the user's location.

Once the processor receives the data comprising the user's originalposition and desired destinations, the software may design the plannedroute from the user's original position to the user's desireddestinations within the area to be navigated. In some embodiments, thesoftware utilizes data which indicates the positions of obstacles, whichmay include equipment or other users (congestion), when designing theplanned route. The software may dynamically assess the planned route asthe user proceeds and may, under some circumstances, offer analternative route. In an example, an alternative route may be offeredwhen the user deviates from the planned route or when new obstacles areplaced along the planned route making the original planned route lessefficient. In some embodiments, the memory in the processor may store arecord of the user's movement throughout the area to be navigated. Theuser or, for example, a business owner or employee supervisor, mayretrieve and analyze the stored movement. This may be useful to studycustomer behavior or to assess employee efficiency. A planned route mayalso be stored in the memory and a user may retrieve the planned routeto repeat the path later.

In some embodiments, the route bar codes are not visible to the humaneye. Rather, the route bar codes may be printed using ink that eitheremits light comprising wavelengths which are outside the human visualrange. As used herein, “human visual range” means light with awavelength that is between about 420 nm and about 670 nm.

The disclosed navigational system may be used in a variety ofenvironments through which a user may need navigational assistance.These environments may include the interior or buildings or an outdoorarea. Examples of environments in which the navigation system may beemployed include a warehouse, a retail store, an office building, ahealthcare facility, an airport, a bus or train terminal, a school, aparking lot, an amusement park, and a city.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1A Illustrates warehouse 100 whichuses an embodiment of the disclosed navigation system. User 110 iswearing goggles 115 to which include a bar code reader and an augmentedreality viewing device. User 110 has placed inventory item 120 on cart130. Warehouse 100 includes stored items on pallets 140 a and 140 b.Pallet 140 a is labeled with destination bar code 150 a and pallet 140 bis labeled with destination bar code 150 b. Warehouse 100 furtherincludes bins 170 a-f which are each labeled with one of destination barcodes 180 a-f respectively.

FIG. 1B illustrates user 100 wearing goggles 115 which include anaugmented reality viewing device. Goggles 115 include bar code reader195. User 110 is shown scanning destination bar code 150 a on pallet 140a. User 100 views an augmented reality view through goggles 115 whichprovides navigational instruction.

FIG. 1C shows another embodiment of the disclosed navigation system inwhich a user is operating mobile device 198 to scan destination bar code180 a on bin 170 a. Mobile device 198 includes bar code reader 199 andfunctions as an augmented reality viewing device. In this embodiment,mobile device 198 functions in place of goggles 115 shown in FIG. 1A.The screen of mobile device 198 functions as a UI and displays an imageof inventory bar code 180 a, textual instructions, and an arrow all ofwhich provide the user with navigational instruction.

FIG. 2 illustrates how a UI and augmented reality view may appear when auser scans a route bar code to determine whether it is on the plannedroute. Route bar code 210 is first shown in black on the far left ofFIG. 2 before a user has scanned it. In the center, as the bar codereader scans route bar code 210, bar 220 is shown descending from top tobottom of route bar code 210 to indicate that scanning is in progress.On the far right, route bar code 210 has changed colors as indicated bythe change from black (on the far left) to gray. This provides a visualindication to the user that route bar code 210 has been scanned and ison the planned route.

FIG. 3 illustrates map 300 which shows the layout of a retail storewhich uses an embodiment of the disclosed navigation system. Map 300shows pathway 310 on which users who are shoppers or store employees maytravel to view or work with merchandise respectively. Route bar codes320 a-e are positioned along pathway of travel 310. Other route barcodes are also shown in FIG. 3 but are not labeled for purposes ofclarity. Cameras 330 a-h surround and are directed toward pathway 310.Cameras 330 a-h may each include a bar code reader which may scan routebar codes 320 a-e and other route bar codes placed along pathway 310.Merchandise displays 340 a-c are shown along pathway 310. Othermerchandise displays are illustrated in FIG. 3 but not labeled forpurposes of clarity. Route bar codes 320 a-e may direct users tomerchandise displays 340 a-c or other merchandise displays which are notlabeled.

FIG. 4 illustrates user 110 traveling along a section of pathway 310within the retail store shown in FIG. 3. User 110 is wearing goggles 115and using them to scan route bar code 320 a. As user 110 moves furtheralong pathway 310, he will scan route bar code 320 b. Because route barcodes 320 a and 320 b are along the planned route, goggles 115 willdisplay a UI which informs user 110 that he is proceeding to his desiredlocation. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the UI shows virtual tracklights 410 a-d which light up along the planned route just ahead of theuser providing a signal to follow. Additional virtual track lights areshown, but not labeled, for purposes of clarity. In addition, virtualarrow 420 directs worker 110 along the planned route. These virtualsignals may be used alone or in combination in various embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a UI that may be visible when a user scansa route bar code. Route bar code 510 is first shown on the far left ofFIG. 5 before a user has scanned it. In the center, as the user scansroute bar code 510, bar 520 is shown descending from top to bottom ofroute bar code 510 to indicate that scanning is in progress. On the farright, textual indicator 530 appears on route bar code 510 in the formof the instruction “FORWARD 30 FEET TURN RIGHT.” Arrow 540 provides agraphic illustration of this instruction. Textual indicator 530 alertsthe user that, to reach a requested location, the user must continueforward 30 feet and then turn right. Upon turning right, thisinstruction may be followed by additional instructions communicatedthrough the UI.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating steps which may be taken when usingan embodiment of the disclosed navigation system. In step 610, a workerreceives a request from a customer to purchase one or more inventoryitems. Non-transitory computer-readable media within the warehousemanagement system cross-references the items with the destination barcodes on the containers which store each of the items (step 615). Inthis embodiment, the destination and route bar codes are QR codes. Thenavigation system then identifies the position of a worker who isassigned the task of picking the items to fill the order as describedelsewhere herein (step 620). The non-transitory computer-readable mediumwithin the navigation system then plans the most efficient route for theworker to take to pick the items in the customer's order (the plannedroute). In doing so, the route bar codes along the planned route and theorder in which the worker should encounter them will be determinedaccording to a warehouse map stored in the processor. The planned routeand the location and route bar codes along the planned route are thentransmitted to the workers goggles (step 625). The worker begins movingthrough the warehouse to begin picking the items. As the worker does so,the worker's goggles scan route bar codes (route QR codes, in thisexample) along the planned route to identify the worker's currentlocation (step 630). The navigation system communicates instructions tothe worker through the augmented reality viewing device in the gogglesto inform the worker of the steps along the planned route. If the workerdeviates from the planned route, corrections to return to the plannedroute are also communicated through the UI shown through the goggles(step 635).

As the worker travels along the planned route, the bar code scanner inthe worker's goggles scans destination bar codes (QR codes, in thisexample) on containers. When the worker arrives at a container whichstores one of the requested inventory items, the bar code reader scansthe associated destination bar code (step 640). The software within thenavigation system then identifies a match between the scanneddestination bar code and a requested inventory item (step 645). The UIthat the worker views through the goggles signals that the scanneddestination bar code is associated with a requested inventory item (step650) to alert the worker to pick the item. The worker then picks theinventory item from the container (step 655).

While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described above, itis to be understood that the disclosure provided is not limited to theprecise configuration, steps, and components disclosed. Variousmodifications, changes, and variations apparent to those of skill in theart may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of themethods and systems disclosed, with the aid of the present disclosure.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the artcan use the preceding description to utilize the present disclosure toits fullest extent. The examples and embodiments disclosed herein are tobe construed as merely illustrative and exemplary and not a limitationof the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be apparentto those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the detailsof the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlyingprinciples of the disclosure herein.

We claim:
 1. A navigation system comprising: a plurality of route barcodes, wherein the plurality of route bar codes is disposed throughoutan area to be navigated; at least one bar code reader; at least onecamera; an augmented reality viewing device; a processor, wherein theprocessor comprises: a database comprising: a stored pattern andposition of each of the plurality of route bar codes; and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium comprising instructions for: receiving arequest to navigate from a starting point of a user to at least onedestination within the area to be navigated; identifying the startingpoint of a user; assembling a planned route from the starting point ofthe user to the at least one destination within the area to benavigated; and communicating the planned route to the user by displayinga composite view of a computer-generated image and a real-world imagethrough the augmented reality viewing device.
 2. The navigation systemof claim 1, wherein the at least one camera comprises a plurality ofcameras statically positioned throughout the area to be navigated. 3.The navigation system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality ofdestination bar codes, wherein the pattern and position of each of theplurality of destination bar codes is stored in the database; andwherein each of the plurality of destination bar codes is disposed at adestination within the area to be navigated.
 4. The navigation system ofclaim 1, wherein the computer-generated image comprises a graphicalimage of at least one of the plurality of route bar codes when the barcode reader scans the at least one of the plurality of route bar codes,and wherein the graphical image changes colors when the at least one ofthe plurality of route bar codes is within the planned route.
 5. Thenavigation system of claim 1, wherein the computer-generated imagecomprises virtual track lighting.
 6. The navigation system of claim 5,wherein a section of the virtual track lighting along the planned routecomprises a first color; and wherein a section of the virtual tracklighting exterior to the planned route comprises a second color.
 7. Thenavigation system of claim 1, wherein the computer-generated imagecomprises a virtual arrow pointing along the planned route.
 8. Thenavigation system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of route bar codescomprises a 3D bar code.
 9. The navigation system of claim 1, whereinthe non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprisesinstructions for actuating an audible signal, the audible signalcomprising navigation instruction to the user.
 10. The navigation systemof claim 1, wherein the augmented reality viewing device comprises oneor more of the following list: goggles, eyeglasses, a visor, an ocularcontact lens, a mobile device, a computer screen, and a camera.
 11. Thenavigation system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of route bar codescomprises an ink which reflects light comprising a wavelength which isoutside the human visible range.
 12. The navigation system of claim 1,wherein at least one of the at least one bar code readers is disposedwithin a mobile device.
 13. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein auser bar code is assigned to and disposed upon a body or clothing ofeach of a plurality of defined users.
 14. The navigation system of claim13, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium furthercomprises instructions for determining a location of each of theplurality of defined users.
 15. The navigation system of claim 1,wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprisesinstructions for assembling a revised route when the user deviates fromthe planned route.
 16. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein theprocessor further comprises a memory; and wherein the memory stores arecord of the user's movement throughout the area to be navigated. 17.The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the augmented reality viewingdevice is assigned to the user; wherein the processor further comprisesa memory; and wherein the memory stores a record of the user's movementthroughout the area to be navigated.
 18. The navigation system of claim1, wherein the at least one camera comprises one of the at least one barcode reader.
 19. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein at least oneof the at least one bar code reader is disposed within the augmentedreality viewing device.
 20. The navigation system of claim 1, whereinthe area to be navigated comprises one or more of the following list: awarehouse, a retail store, an office building, a healthcare facility, anairport, a bus terminal, a train terminal, a school, a parking lot, anamusement park, and a city.